CN101861186B - Method and apparatus for positional tracking of therapeutic ultrasound transducer - Google Patents

Abstract

A therapeutic ultrasound tracking system (10) includes a first and second plurality of tracking elements ((14, 16, 18),(20,22,24)), a tracking generator (26), and a system controller (28). The first plurality of tracking elements (14, 16, 18) is disposed in a first position and orientation with respect to each another and with respect to an energy emission surface (30) of a therapeutic ultrasound probe (12). The second plurality of tracking elements (20,22,24) is adapted to be coupled to a patient (42) in a second position and orientation with respect to each other and with respect to a target region of the patient which is to receive a therapeutic treatment. The tracking generator (26) emits tracking energy for use in connection with the first and second plurality of tracking elements. The system controller (28) detects whether the probe (12) is positioned within an allowable position and orientation with respect to the target region, and (i) responsive to detecting the probe being within the allowable position and orientation, the system controller enables an energization of the probe to perform one of (i)(a) commence the therapeutic treatment and (i)(b) continue the therapeutic treatment, and (ii) responsive to not detecting the probe being within the allowable position and orientation, the system controller disables the energization of the probe for the therapeutic treatment.

Description

The method and apparatus that follow the tracks of the position of being used for the treatment of property ultrasonic transducer

The inventive example relates generally to medical system, and more particularly, relates to the method and apparatus of the position tracking of being used for the treatment of property ultrasonic transducer.

Adopt the ultrasonic current disposal that pathological tissue is carried out not conventionally to be effectively executed, this is owing to ultra sonic imaging, disease being described not as clear such as the another kind of image mode of computer tomography (CT).

Yet, for specific Results, ultrasonicly becoming a kind of more preferably method.Especially, use the current method being used as for the thermal therapeutical intervention of hysteromyoma of high density focus supersonic, and the disposal becoming as liver, brain and other carninomatosis possibly.In addition, the means that clot dissolution (ultrasound thrombolysis treatment), drug delivery and gene therapy are reconciled in ultrasonic conduct become object of study.

In all these application, to use ultrasonic be desirable, and this is because its permissions is carried out non-invasi disposal to Form, and the organ on it is affected very little or without impact.Disclosed ultrasonic increase, such as the usefulness of the existing medical response of the expression of the albumen in using-system activator of plasminogen (tPA), gene therapy in clot dissolution and the drug delivery of the increase in the targeted therapy of site.

Yet, for many medical conditions, use the image mode except ultrasonic to diagnose and disposal plan, described image mode such as computer tomography (CT), nuclear magnetic resonance (MRI), SPECT and PET (positron emission tomography) (PET).In addition, these systems do not rely on the method being used for the treatment of.

Therefore, for overcoming the improved method and system of the problem of this area, expect.

Fig. 1 is according to the part block diagram view of the system of the position tracking of the being used for the treatment of property ultrasonic probe of embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 be illustrate in greater detail according to an embodiment of the invention for the view that schematically shows of the therapeutic ultrasound probe of Fig. 1 of using together with positioning control system;

Fig. 3 illustrates the flowchart view of following the tracks of according to the position of the therapeutic ultrasound probe of the system and method for embodiment of the present disclosure; And

Fig. 4 is according to the part block diagram view of the system of the position tracking of the therapeutic ultrasound probe of another embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the accompanying drawings, same reference numerals represents similar components.In addition, note drafting in proportion of accompanying drawing.

According to an embodiment, the method and apparatus that follow the tracks of the position of being used for the treatment of property ultrasonic transducer or probe comprises navigation system and the therapeutic ultrasound probe being configured to for improvement of therapeutic outcome.Method and system device advantageously can be used such as an image mode of CT with diagnosis planned treatment intervention, and afterwards ultrasonic therapeutic is put on to expectation space orientation.Therefore, advantageously improved the effect of disposing.In addition, disposal can be located in the particular region of interest (for example, disposal area) surrounding tissue to minimum influence.In one embodiment, by the suitable placement of a plurality of sensors is registrated to same coordinate system by positioning control system and ultrasonic therapeutic probe.

For to follow the tracks of the technology of object of three dimensions be known and comprise that for example electromagnetism is followed the tracks of, infrared (light) is followed the tracks of and mechanical navigation system.These tracking techniques allow the position with submillimeter accuracy detection object.Therefore,, in order to simplify discussion, here only discuss for those aspects of understanding the tracking technique of embodiment necessity of the present disclosure.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, although with ultra sonic imaging to disease describe clearly such as another image mode of CT not as using, can use high density focus supersonic effectively to carry out the disposal of pathological tissue.A disposal that is exemplified as the patient with occlusive apoplexy.First by CT scan, patient is carried out to imaging and have blood clot to determine.Afterwards, CT scan is registrated to patient's body, and use identical registration arrangement with the metacheirisis of guiding ultrasound thrombolysis, described ultrasound thrombolysis metacheirisis utilizes the high density focused ultrasonic transducer of following the tracks of therapeutic ultrasound system according to the position of embodiment of the present disclosure.As a result, by suitable acoustic energy is accurately placed into the vascular condensing and advantageously improves the effect of metacheirisis.The similar example of metacheirisis comprises drug delivery, (HIFU) ablation of high density focus supersonic and gene delivery.Metacheirisis also can comprise ultrasonic face-lifting use, and for example, fat is disposed.In example below, MR can be for for obtaining the good mode of the drafting of fatty tissue.

In one embodiment, gene therapy can comprise one or more in sending of exogenous DNA, RNA, RNAi, enzyme, protein, siRNA or little RNA.

At the high density focus supersonic from for thermal ablation, to the field for medicine and gene delivery, using ultrasonic, as therapeutic utilization, becoming clinical reality.For example, for describing the sterically defined diagnostic imaging system (, CT, MRI etc.) of the pathological tissue that will be treated, be independently acquired with disposal method.Use favourable embodiment of the present disclosure, by the applying spatial registration to diagnostic image and patient's disposal area of therapeutic focus supersonic irradiated ultrasonic therapeutic to be suitably applied to specific area-of-interest.

Method and apparatus of the present disclosure relates to for using external position tracking system to keep patient's disposal area and the method for the registration between ultrasonic therapeutic probe.For example, system and device comprises positioning control system and the ultrasonic therapy energy converter that the suitable placement of passing through sensor of further discussing at this is registrated to same coordinate system.

In one exemplary embodiment, electromagnetic tracking system is placed on the desktop that patient do not lie thereon movably.Desktop in the coordinate system of imaging system (CT, MRI, SPECT, PET etc.) by registration exactly.Coil (sensor) is placed on the one or more location on ultrasonic therapy energy converter as follows: electromagnetic tracking system can calculate with respect to himself coordinate system three-dimensional position and the orientation for the treatment of transducer.In patient coordinate system, follow the tracks of now ultrasonic therapeutic probe and ultrasonic therapeutic probe can be focused on to pathology region to implement disposal.In being similar to second exemplary embodiment of above-described embodiment, tracking system comprises that infra-red tracing system and sensor comprise light emitting diode.

In being similar to the 3rd exemplary embodiment of the first previous embodiment, tracking system comprises a plurality of coils that the measurement in magnetic field can be provided.In addition, other a plurality of coil couplings are arrived to treatment transducer.For example, coil can be coupled to treatment transducer via suitable mechanical attachment etc.The measurement in magnetic field provides the indication with respect to the position of nuclear magnetic resonance (MRI) system.In the 4th exemplary embodiment, similar and the first exemplary embodiment and the second exemplary embodiment, be attached to fixed reference system by sensor, and described fixed reference system is for example for ultrasonic transducer can be fixed in headband receiver wherein.Headband receiver can initially be placed or by initially placing with the common registration of previous imaging data collection according to anatomic landmark.After placement, tracking system is used for measuring motion on a small scale.

Embodiment of the present disclosure advantageously provides for carrying out the method and system device of one of the following: (i) ultrasonic mediation drug delivery; (ii) ultrasonic mediation gene delivery; (iii) ultrasonic thermal therapeutical; (iv) high density focus supersonic ablation; (v) ultrasound thrombolysis treatment; And (vi) comprise and remove fat and except the ultrasonic cosmetic surgery of scar/wrinkle.

Fig. 1 is according to the part block diagram view of the system 10 of the position tracking for hand-heldtherapeutic ultrasound probe 12 of embodiment of the present disclosure.Therapeutic ultrasound tracking system 10 comprises more than first tracer element (14,16,18), more than second tracer element (20,22,24), tracking generator 26 and system controller 28.More than first tracer element (14,16,18) relative to each other and with respect to theenergy emitting surface 30 of hand-held therapeuticultrasonic probe 12 is arranged to primary importance and orientation.Therapeutic ultrasound probe 12 can comprise can be configured to implement embodiment of the present disclosure and for carrying out hand-held ultrasound probe or other probes of any appropriate of the demand of given ultrasonic therapeutic.Therapeutic ultrasound probe 12 compriseshousing parts 32 andhandle portion 34, and it can form integral body mutually.Ultrasonic transducer 36 is arranged inhousing parts 32, approachessurface 30, to launch the ultrasonic energy of expectation.For example, suitably various electronic powers and holding wire (character representation all being represented by Reference numeral 38) are coupling betweentherapeutic ultrasound probe 12 and the parts ofsystem controller 28, for carrying out various function described herein and step.As will be further discussed with reference to figure 2 herein, show equally thetracking guide 40 that is coupled totherapeutic ultrasound probe 12.

More than second tracer element (20,22,24) is suitable for relative to each other and patient 42 is coupled in the second position and orientation in the patient's that disposes with respect to receiving treatment target area.Tracking generator 26 is configured to transmitting and follows the tracks of energy to be combined with more than first tracer element (14,16,18) and more than second tracer element (20,22,24).In one embodiment, tracking generator 26 comprises electromagnetic field generator, and wherein, as represented by Reference numeral 27, generator is with reference to fixing orientation and location.Electromagnetic field generator generates the electromagnetic field in area-of-interest, and described area-of-interest comprises patient's disposal area.

System controller 28 can comprise any suitable computer and/or sensor interface, also various functions and the disposal as discussed herein followed the tracks of about carrying out therapeutic ultrasound to carry out as here to be discussed by the instruction programming with suitable ofcontroller.System controller 28 also comprises various input/output signal lines, such as 38 and 44, for example, for being electrically coupled to other elements of therapeutic ultrasound tracking system 10.Suitable display device 46 is coupled tosystem controller 28, for example, and to be used during given therapeutic ultrasound tracking and disposal applications by system operator.In addition, can provide for the given implementation of therapeutic ultrasound tracking and disposal applications the other equipment of the (not shown) such as input-output apparatus, pointing device that may need.In addition, from memorizer (be for example used for, memorizer or the memory device of the image obtaining from given mode before comprising) or the real time image collection real time imaging of given mode collecting device (for example, the from) device 48 that obtains image acquisition be coupled tosystem controller 28.

Fig. 2 be illustrate in greater detail for location of the present disclosure follow the tracks of 10 system Fig. 1therapeutic ultrasound probe 12 schematically show view.In one embodiment, follow the tracks ofguide 40 and be physically coupled to therapeutic ultrasound probe 12.Following the tracks ofguide 40 can comprise, for example, device display, wherein, described display apparatus produces the visual representation of a plurality of visual concentric shape (50,52,54),indicator component 56 and direction indicator (58,60,62,64).For example follow the tracks ofguide 40, via power andsignal line 38, be coupled to system controller 28.System controller 28 is suitable for controlling follows the tracks ofguide 40 to provide the position oftherapeutic ultrasound probe 12 target areas with respect to patient and the guiding of orientation to represent, wherein, registration is carried out by more than second tracer element (20,22,24) in patient's target area.Therefore, embodiment of the present disclosure advantageously allow system operator or intervene radiologist during metacheirisis with patient's more naturally interact (free-hand).In addition, althoughtracking guide 40 is depicted as and is discussed as being coupled to probe, but according to embodiment of the present disclosure, can comprise other implementations of following the tracks of guide, for example, follow the tracks of guide as the implementation of the part ofdisplay 46 or the part of other system parts.

In one embodiment, follow the tracks ofguide 40 and comprise a plurality of visual concentric shape (50,52,54) and indicator component 56.Visual concentric shape (50,52,54) represents thetherapeutic ultrasound probe 12 various adjacency (proximity) with respect to targetarea.Indicator component 56 providestherapeutic ultrasound probe 12 to represent with respect to the position of target area and the visual guidance of orientation with respect to the location of concentric shape (50,52,54).In one embodiment, visual concentric shape (50,52,54) can comprise the visualconcentric shape 50 being used to indicate in position very near the adjacency of target area, be used to indicate in position to target area a visualconcentric shape 52 for the adjacency of expectation, and be used to indicate in position the very adjacency in wide region visual concentric shape 54.Although only the shape of three different sizes is illustrated and is discussed with respect to concentric shape (50,52,54), can comprise more than three according to embodiment of the present disclosure.

Indicator component 56 can be with the different size of any amount be shaped as feature so that the given adjacency of correspondence is sent to target area.For example, as shown in theexplaination 70 of thetracking guide 40 in Fig. 2,indicator component 56 can be shaped as feature with first size, is used to indicate the adjacency of very close target area in position.Shown in theexplaination 68 and 72 of thetracking guide 40 in Fig. 2,indicator component 56 can be take the second size shape as feature, and being used to indicate is the adjacency of expectation in position to target area.Notice thatindicator component 56 is center-aligned not inexplaination 68, this represents that probe is not also in the position with respect to target area and orientation, as will be further discussed below here.Shown in theexplaination 66 of thetracking guide 40 at Fig. 2, it is feature thatindicator component 56 can also be take the 3rd size shape, indicating adjacency very far away with target area in position.Although only the shape of three different sizes is illustrated and discussed with respect toindicator component 56, according to embodiment of the present disclosure, can comprise more than three.

Follow the tracks ofguide 40 and also comprise multiple directions indicator (58,60,62,64).Direction indicator (58,60,62,64) represents therapeutic ultrasound probe mobile each orientation required with respect to target area.Together with visual concentric shape (50,52,54) andindicator component 56, direction indicator (58,60,62,64) guides to realize allowable position and the orientation oftherapeutic ultrasound probe 12 target areas with respect to patient 42 for system user provides.Various orientations can compriseadvances 58,retreats 62, moves to left 64 and move to right 60, and, move into (as shown byindicator component 56 in explaination 66) and shift out (as shown byindicator component 56 in explaination 70) to dispose best desired regions.In one embodiment, guiding comprises the form of bubble, its according to required relative motion advance to/away from center and increase/shrink dimensionally.Although only four different direction indicators (58,60,62,64) are illustrated and are discussed for direction indicator, can comprise greater or less than four according to embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 illustrates the flowchart view 80 of following the tracks of according to the position of the therapeutic ultrasound probe of the system and method for embodiment of the present disclosure.Method is included in the initial placement of carrying out patient and therapeutic probe in step 82.In step 84, detect the location of therapeutic probe.In step 86, thus the location of detection patient's disposal area (or district).In step 88, determine whether probe to position to allow to dispose.As here discussed, definite is that at least follow the tracks of the position based on more than first tracer element and more than second tracer element.If determine no-fix probe, do not allow to dispose, so, method proceeds to step 90.In step 90, prompt system operator is for example guided with respect to patient's mobile probe by following the tracks of guide 40.After step 90, method is got back to the step 84 of the location of detecting as previously discussed therapeutic probe.Referring again to step 88, if determine probe to be positioned, allow to dispose, process and proceed to step 92 so.

In step 92, determine that whether acoustic path between probe and target area stop up by for example bone or such as the inflating cavity of lung.If determine that acoustic path is blocked, so, method proceeds to step 94, otherwise method proceeds to step 96.Step 94 comprises the acoustics compensation of carrying out probe.For example, acoustics compensation can comprise the ultrasonic power of sending and the field angle upgrading from therapeutic ultrasound probe, and power and field angle upgrade at least based on according to the determined trace information of specific needs of more than first tracking transducer, more than second tracking transducer and tracking generator and metacheirisis.Another example can comprise in response to the motion tracking of (i) therapeutic ultrasound probe and (ii) the ultrasonic aperture of carrying out adjustment for the treatment of ultrasonic probe with respect to the obstruction of the acoustic path of patient's target area of sending, and described aperture adjustment is at least based on according to the determined trace information of specific needs of more than first tracking transducer, more than second tracking transducer and tracking generator and metacheirisis.Another example comprises that the ultrasonic setting of adjusting is to compensate the acoustic path of the change of leading to target area.In example below, the adjusting of ultrasonic setting is suitable for effectively compensating and comprises and breathing and the non-autonomous organ movement that certainly advocates peace of heart beating, and compensates the change of acoustic path or the motion of target area causing due to the physics of ultrasonic disposal or the result of biological response or ultrasonic disposal.Other example comprises the electron focusing of locating and change to the corresponding acoustic path of target area therapeutic ultrasound probe in response to detected therapeutic ultrasound probe.After completing sound compensation, method proceeds to step 96.

In step 96, on (Fig. 1's) display 46, provide the expression in disposal area (or region).The demonstration of the width that especially, the expression of disposal area covering (i) obtains before or a few width image or (ii) width or a few width real time imagings.After step 96, allow in due course to start or continual cure disposal in step 98.In step 100, determine whether desired metacheirisis completes.If completed, so, method finishes in step 102.If desired metacheirisis does not also complete, so, method turns back to step 84 also after this as continued to above-mentioned discussion here.

Fig. 4 is according to the view of the part block diagram of thesystem 110 of the position tracking of the being used for the treatment of propertyultrasonic probe 112 of another embodiment of the present disclosure.System 100 is similar to the system 10 of Fig. 1, but has following difference.Therapeuticultrasound tracking system 110 comprises more than first tracer element (114,116,118), more than second tracer element (120,122,124),tracking generator 126 and system controller 28.More than first tracer element (114,116,118) relative to each other and with respect to theenergy emitting surface 30 oftherapeutic ultrasound probe 112 is arranged to primary importance and orientation.Therapeutic ultrasound probe 112 can comprise can be configured to implement embodiment of the present disclosure and for carrying out the ultrasonic probe of any appropriate of given ultrasonic therapeutic demand.Therapeutic ultrasound probe 112 compriseshousing parts 32 andhandle portion 34, and it can form integral body mutually.Ultrasonic transducer 36 is arranged inhousing parts 32,approaches surface 30, to launch the ultrasonic energy of expectation.For example, suitably various electronic powers and holding wire (character representation of all being indicated by Reference numeral 38) are coupling betweentherapeutic ultrasound probe 112 and the parts ofsystem controller 28, for carrying out various function described herein and step.Follow the tracks ofguide 40 and be coupled totherapeutic ultrasound probe 112.

More than second tracer element (120,122,124) is suitable for relative to each other and patient 42 is coupled in the second position and orientation in the patient's that disposes with respect to receiving treatment targetarea.Tracking generator 126 is configured to transmitting and follows the tracks of energy to be combined with more than first tracer element (114,116,118) and more than second tracer element (120,122,124).In one embodiment,tracking generator 126 comprises optical tracking generator, and wherein, as represented byReference numeral 127, generator is with reference to fixing orientation and location.Optical tracking generator comprises, for example, and LED tracking generator.The optical signalling thatoptical tracking generator 126 generates in area-of-interest, described area-of-interest comprises patient's disposal area.In addition, more than first tracer element (114,116,118) and more than second tracer element (120,122,124) comprise optical detecting sensor.

Therefore, the therapeutic ultrasound tracking system that comprises more than first tracer element and more than second tracer element, tracking generator and system controller is disclosed.More than first tracer element relative to each other and with respect to the energy emitting surface of therapeutic ultrasound probe is arranged to primary importance and orientation.More than second tracer element is suitable for relative to each other and patient is coupled in the second position and orientation in the patient's that disposes with respect to receiving treatment target area.Tracking generator transmitting is followed the tracks of energy to be combined with more than first tracer element and more than second tracer element.Whether system controller detection probe is located in admissible position and orientation with respect to target area, and (i) in response to probe being detected within allowable position and orientation, system controller enables the energy supply of probe to carry out in following: (i) (a) begin treatment dispose and (i) (b) continual cure dispose, and (ii), in response to probe not detected within allowable position and orientation, system controller stops being used for the treatment of the probe energy supply of disposal.

The continuing of the beginning of metacheirisis and metacheirisis is according to the specific needs of metacheirisis.Specific needs can also comprise system controller, has accepted the location of disposing and forbid identical location to surpass the required too much disposal of metacheirisis in described system controller monitoring objective region.In another embodiment, via ultrasonic image-forming system or in thering is the medical image that the imaging system of the mode outside ultrasonic obtains, more than second tracer element can detected.System controller is also suitable in response to more than second tracer element being detected and calculate target area in the coordinate system of (i) imaging system and (ii) relation between the target area in the coordinate of tracking system in medical image.Controller is also suitable in response to therapeutic ultrasound probe, with respect to one or more institutes location of target area, putting one that automatic appointment is selected from comprise the group of CT, MR, PET and SPECT image scanning, the progress of disposing with monitor therapy.

In one embodiment, system controller is also configured in response to therapeutic ultrasound probe is upgraded to the ultrasonic power of sending and the field angle from therapeutic ultrasound probe with respect to the motion tracking of patient's target area.Power and field angle upgrade at least based on according to the determined trace information of specific needs of more than first tracking transducer, more than second tracking transducer and tracking generator and metacheirisis.

In another embodiment, system controller is also configured in response to the motion tracking of (i) therapeutic ultrasound probe and (ii) the ultrasonic aperture of carrying out adjustment for the treatment of ultrasonic probe with respect to the obstruction of the acoustic path of patient's target area of sending.Described aperture adjustment is at least based on according to the determined trace information of specific needs of more than first tracking transducer, more than second tracking transducer and tracking generator and metacheirisis.In another embodiment, system controller is also configured in response to the ultrasonic setting with respect to the motion tracking adjustment for the treatment of ultrasonic probe of patient's target area to therapeutic ultrasound probe.Ultrasonic setting through regulating is configured to the acoustic path that the change of target area is led in compensation.In another embodiment, system controller is also configured to change in response to detected treatment ultrasonic probe location and the corresponding acoustic path to target area the electron focusing that therapeutic ultrasound is popped one's head in.

In one embodiment, metacheirisis comprises following one or more (i) ultrasonic mediation drug delivery; (ii) ultrasonic mediation gene delivery; (iii) ultrasonic guidance thermal therapeutical; (iv) high density focus supersonic ablation; (v) ultrasound thrombolysis treatment; And (vi) ultrasonic cosmetic surgery.In another embodiment, more than first tracer element comprises three tracer elements, and more than second tracer element comprises three tracer elements.In addition, tracking generator can comprise at least one following (i) electromagnetic field generator, wherein, more than first tracer element and more than second tracer element comprise electromagnetic transducer, or (ii) optical tracking generator, wherein, more than first tracer element and more than second tracer element comprise optical detecting sensor.

In another embodiment, therapeutic ultrasound tracking system comprises more than first tracer element, more than second tracer element, tracking generator, system controller and tracking guide.More than first tracer element relative to each other and with respect to the energy emitting surface of therapeutic ultrasound probe is arranged to primary importance and orientation.More than second tracer element is suitable for relative to each other and patient is coupled in the second position and orientation in the patient's that disposes with respect to receiving treatment target area.Tracking generator is configured to transmitting and follows the tracks of energy to be combined with more than first tracer element and more than second tracer element.In one embodiment, tracking generator comprises one of following (i) electromagnetic field generator, wherein, more than first tracer element and more than second tracer element comprise electromagnetic transducer, or (ii) optical tracking generator, wherein, more than first tracer element and more than second tracer element comprise optical detecting sensor.

In the embodiment of epimere, system controller is coupled to more than first tracking transducer, more than second tracking transducer and tracking generator, and is suitable for being coupled to therapeutic ultrasound probe.Whether system controller is located in admissible position and orientation with respect to patient's target area for detection of therapeutic ultrasound probe, and (i) in response to therapeutic ultrasound probe being detected within allowable position and orientation, system controller enables the energy supply of therapeutic ultrasound probe to carry out in following: (i) (a) begin treatment dispose and (i) (b) continual cure dispose, and (ii) in response to therapeutic ultrasound probe not detected within allowable position and orientation, system controller stops being used for the treatment of the therapeutic ultrasound probe energy supply of disposal.Follow the tracks of guide and be coupled to system controller, described system controller is also followed the tracks of guide to provide therapeutic ultrasound probe to represent with respect to the position of target area and the guiding of orientation for controlling.

In addition, for above-described embodiment, the continuing of the beginning of metacheirisis and metacheirisis is according to the specific needs of metacheirisis.In addition, specific needs comprises system controller, has accepted the location of disposing and forbid identical location to surpass the required too much disposal of metacheirisis in described system controller monitoring objective region.

According to another embodiment, the method for the ultrasonic tracking of being used for the treatment of property comprises more than first tracer element relative to each other and with respect to the energy emitting surface of therapeutic ultrasound probe is arranged to primary importance and orientation.More than second tracer element relative to each other and the patient's who disposes with respect to receiving treatment target area in the second position and orientation, be coupled to patient.Tracking generator transmitting is followed the tracks of energy to be combined with more than first tracer element and more than second tracer element.Method also comprises that whether via system controller, detect therapeutic ultrasound probe is located in admissible position and orientation with respect to patient's target area.In response to (i), therapeutic ultrasound probe detected within allowable position and orientation, described method comprises and enabling the energy supply of therapeutic ultrasound probe to carry out in following: (i) (a) begin treatment dispose and (i) (b) continual cure dispose.In response to (ii), therapeutic ultrasound probe do not detected within allowable position and orientation, described method comprises the energy supply of the therapeutic ultrasound probe that stops being used for the treatment of disposal.

In an embodiment of method, continuing of the beginning of metacheirisis and metacheirisis is the specific needs according to metacheirisis.In addition, specific needs comprises and in monitoring objective region, has accepted the location of disposing and forbidden identical location to surpass the required too much disposal of metacheirisis.

In another embodiment, described method also comprises in response to the ultrasonic power of sending and field angle that therapeutic ultrasound probe is popped one's head in from therapeutic ultrasound via system controller renewal with respect to the motion tracking of patient's target area.Power and field angle upgrade at least based on according to the determined trace information of specific needs of more than first tracking transducer, more than second tracking transducer and tracking generator and metacheirisis.In another embodiment, described method also comprise in response to the motion tracking of (i) therapeutic ultrasound probe and (ii) the ultrasonic obstruction of sending with respect to the acoustic path of patient's target area come the aperture via system controller adjustment for the treatment of ultrasonic probe.Described aperture adjustment is at least based on according to the determined trace information of specific needs of more than first tracking transducer, more than second tracking transducer and tracking generator and metacheirisis.In another embodiment, method also comprises that via system controller, controlling tracking guide represents about the position of target area and the guiding of orientation to provide therapeutic ultrasound to pop one's head in.

Although described some exemplary embodiments in the above in detail, do not depart from itself in the novel teachings of embodiment of the present disclosure and the situation of advantage, those skilled in the art by easy to understand in the exemplary embodiment many changes be possible.For example, embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied to man-made derice's placement, such as, nano-carrier, nanometer beacon, nano-sensor and nano-machine.Therefore, be intended to all such modifications to be included in as in the scope of the embodiment of the present disclosure defined in following claim.In the claims, device-Jia-function items is intended to cover the structure that is described as carrying out cited function herein, is not only structural equivalents, but also comprises equivalent construction.In addition, the Reference numeral that is placed in the bracket of one or more claim should not be understood to limit claim.Word " comprises " and " comprising " etc. do not got rid of have element and the step of listing as a whole except those in claim or description arbitrarily.The single element of quoting is not got rid of and is had a plurality of such elements, and vice versa.By means of the hardware that comprises some different elements, and/or can implement one or more embodiment by means of the computer of suitably programming.In enumerating the equipment claim of some devices, can be realized by one of hardware or same parts some devices of these devices.The fact of quoting certain measures in mutually different dependent claims does not represent that the combination of these measures can not advantageously be applied.

Claims (15)

1. a therapeutic ultrasound tracking system, comprising:

The first, a plurality of tracer elements, relative to each other and with respect to the energy emitting surface of therapeutic ultrasound probe are arranged at primary importance and orientation by it;

The second, a plurality of tracer elements, it is suitable for relative to each other and described patient is coupled in the second position and orientation in the patient's that disposes with respect to receiving treatment target area;

Tracking generator, is configured as transmitting and follows the tracks of energy with described the first, a plurality of tracer elements and described the second, and a plurality of tracer elements are combined with, and wherein, described tracking generator is configured to reference to fixing orientation and location;

System controller, it is coupled to described the first, a plurality of tracer elements, described the second, a plurality of tracer elements and described tracking generator, and be also suitable for being coupled to described therapeutic ultrasound probe, described system controller is suitable for:

Detect within whether described therapeutic ultrasound probe be located in admissible position and orientation with respect to described patient's described target area, and

In response to described therapeutic ultrasound probe being detected within described admissible position and orientation, enable the energy supply of described therapeutic ultrasound probe to carry out in following: (a) start described metacheirisis and (b) continue described metacheirisis, and in response to described therapeutic ultrasound probe not detected within described admissible position and orientation, stop the described energy supply for the described therapeutic ultrasound probe of described metacheirisis.

2. system according to claim 1, wherein, starts described metacheirisis and described metacheirisis is continued according to the specific needs of described metacheirisis.

3. system according to claim 2, and wherein, described specific needs comprises that described system controller is monitored and in described target area, has accepted the location of disposing and forbidden identical location to surpass the required too much disposal of described metacheirisis.

4. system according to claim 1, wherein, described system controller is also configured in response to described therapeutic ultrasound probe is upgraded to the ultrasonic power of sending and the field angle from described therapeutic ultrasound probe with respect to the motion tracking of described patient's described target area, described power and field angle upgrade at least based on according to described first, a plurality of tracer elements, described the second, the determined trace information of specific needs of a plurality of tracer elements and described tracking generator and described metacheirisis.

5. system according to claim 1, wherein, described system controller is also configured in response to the motion tracking of (i) described therapeutic ultrasound probe and the (ii) ultrasonic aperture that regulates described therapeutic ultrasound probe with respect to the obstruction of the acoustic path of described patient's described target area of sending, described aperture adjustment is at least based on according to described first, a plurality of tracer elements, described the second, the determined trace information of specific needs of a plurality of tracer elements and described tracking generator and described metacheirisis.

6. system according to claim 1, wherein, described system controller is also configured in response to described therapeutic ultrasound probe is regulated to the ultrasonic setting of described therapeutic ultrasound probe with respect to the motion tracking of described patient's described target area, and the ultrasonic setting through regulating is configured to the acoustic path that the change of described target area is led in compensation.

7. system according to claim 1, wherein, described visual concentric shape represents that described therapeutic ultrasound probe is with respect to the various adjacency of described target area, and wherein, described indicator component provides described therapeutic ultrasound probe to represent with respect to the position of described target area and the visual guidance of orientation with respect to the location of described concentric shape.

8. system according to claim 7, and wherein, described visual concentric shape comprises the visual concentric shape being used to indicate in position very near the adjacency of described target area, be used to indicate and arrive in position described target area for the visual concentric shape of adjacency of expectation, and be used to indicate in position very a visual concentric shape away from the adjacency of described target area.

9. system according to claim 7, wherein, described indicator component is by following sign: be used to indicate in position very the first size shape near the adjacency of described target area, be used to indicate and arrive in position described target area for second size shape of adjacency of expectation, and be used to indicate in position very the 3rd size shape away from the adjacency of described target area.

10. system according to claim 7, wherein, described direction indicator represents therapeutic ultrasound probe mobile each orientation required with respect to described target area, and it guides to realize described therapeutic ultrasound probe with respect to described admissible position and the orientation of described patient's described target area together with described visual concentric shape and described indicator component for system user provides.

11. systems according to claim 10, wherein, described each orientation comprises advances, retreats, moves to left and moves to right.

12. systems according to claim 1, wherein, described tracking guide also comprises device display, and wherein, described a plurality of visual concentric shape, indicator component and direction indicator are included in the visual representation on described device display.

13. systems according to claim 1, wherein, described tracking generator comprises one that from comprise following group, selects: (i) electromagnetic field generator, wherein, described the first, a plurality of tracer elements and described the second, a plurality of tracer elements comprise emf sensor; And (ii) optical tracking generator, wherein, described the first, a plurality of tracer elements and described the second, a plurality of tracer elements comprise optical detecting sensor.

14. systems according to claim 1, wherein, via ultrasonic image-forming system or in thering is the medical image that the imaging system of the mode outside ultrasonic obtains, can detect described second, a plurality of tracer elements, and wherein, described system controller is also suitable in response to detecting in described medical image described the second, and a plurality of tracer elements calculate described target area in the coordinate system of (i) described imaging system and the (ii) relation between the described target area in the coordinate of described tracking system.

15. systems according to claim 1, wherein, described system controller is also suitable for the one or more positions that record with respect to described target area in response to described therapeutic ultrasound probe, automatically specify one that from comprise the group of CT, MR, PET and SPECT image scanning, selects, to monitor the progress of described metacheirisis.

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